Massaging device driven by exercise apparatus

ABSTRACT

A massaging device comprises a belt which is coupled to an exercise apparatus operated by muscle power. The belt when fastened around a body portion is cyclically tightened and slackened responsive to the motion imparted to the apparatus. The belt may include bulb-like resilient massaging elements which inflate and deflate responsive to applied pressure. Alternatively, the belt comprises stretchable material.

United States Patent 1 Simsian 1 1 MASSAGING DEVICE DRIVEN BY EXERCISE APPARATUS [76] Inventor: Luther G. Sirnsian, 7 Laurel Lane,

Greenwich, Conn. 06830 [22] Filed: Oct. 14, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 189,354

52 US. Cl ..128/63 51 Int. c1. ..A6lh 7/00 58 Field of Search 128/63, 58; 272/73 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,507,554 9/1924 Cooper l. 128/63 2,154,831 4/1939 Booharin ..128/63 [451 Apr. 17, 1973 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Germany 1.... ..128/63 Germany ..272/73 Primary Examiner-Lawrence W. Trapp Attorney-Ervin B. Steinberg [5 7 ABSTRACT A massaging device comprises a belt which is coupled to an exercise apparatus operated by muscle power. The belt when fastened around a body portion is cyclically tightened and slackened responsive to the motion imparted to the apparatus. The belt may include bulb-like resilient massaging elements which inflate and deflate responsive to applied pressure. Alternatively, the belt comprises stretchable material.

16 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PATENTED APR 1 71973 SHEET 1 {1F 3 LUTHER e. SIMJIAN INVENTOR.

PATENTED R .1 7 75 SHEET 2 OF 3 FIG. 4

I ll'l IHII INVENTOR.

Pmrimsm I 3.727. 608

' mm 3 0r 3 LUTHER G. SIMJIAN INVENTOR.

MASSAGING DEVICE DRIVEN BY EXERCISE APPARATUS CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS paratus, and Ser. No. 100,165 filed December 21, 1

1970 entitled, Massaging Device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION.

This invention refers to a massaging device which is operated responsive to the expenditure of muscle power and, more specifically, refers to a massaging belt which is adapted to surround a portion of the human body and which causes a massaging action in response to the operation of an exercise apparatus, such as a bicycle or a rowing device. The apparatus provides output motion in response to physical effort, for instance by operating foot pedals or moving a lever in reciprocating motion and the like. The massaging belt is coupled to the output motion and is cyclically tightened and slackened in response to such output motion so as to provide a steady massaging action while the operator of the exercise device expends physical effort. In this manner the present device serves as an exercise device while simultaneously providing a massaging action. It will be appreciated that this double action is extremely-beneficial in view ofthe recent findings that the heart muscle should receive sufficient exercise in order to stimulate blood flow, provide sufficient oxygenation of the blood by increased lungaction while obtaining simultaneously the benefits of a body massage. Hence, the present invention not only contributes to a general well feeling, but also provides the benefits resulting from increased physical effort.

DESCRIPTION OFTHE DRAWINGS FIG. 6 is a perspective view of certain mechanisms shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the massaging belt usable in connection with the present apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a partial view of an alternative embodiment ofthe massaging belt;

FIG. 9 is a view along line 99 in FIG. 8;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the figures and FIGS. 1 through 4 in particular, there is shown a particular embodiment of the present invention in the form of a stationary exercise bicycle. The bicycle comprises a stationary frame 10 made largely of tubular material and including several feet ll, 12 and 13. Moreover, the bicycle includes a handle bar 14 supported by a vertical frame 0 member 15 and a seat 16 supported from a vertical frame member 17. A box-like enclosure 18 is mounted slidingly upon two vertical tube members 19 and 20 and is adjustable in its vertical position by being positioned along the tubes 19 and 20 relative to the seat 16.

A foot pedal mechanism 22, as is known from bicycles, is mounted to the frame 10 and includes two disks 24 and 26, FIG. 4, which are set. into rotation responsive to the operation of the foot pedal mechanism 22. The disks 24 and 26 are connected to one another by a cross pin 28 which supports one end of a lever 30, see

' FIGS. 2 and 4. The other end of the lever 30 is secured FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the massaging belt;

FIG. 11 is a vertical view of a portion of a further alternative embodiment of the massaging belt;

FIG. 12 is a view along line 12-12 in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the massaging belt;

FIG. 14 is a view along line 14-14 in FIG. 13, and FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a still further alternative embodiment ofa massaging belt.

to a cable or cord 32, most suitably a flexible resilient fabric cable, which is fed around a pulley 34 fastened by a U-clamp member to the tubular member 17. Thereafter, the flexible cord splits into two portions 32A and 323, each of which feeds over a respective pulley 36. The respective ends of the flexible'cord are then fastened to the ends 40A and 40B of a flexible belt 40, see FIG. 3, which serves as the massaging device when it surrounds a portion of the body of the person operating the exercise apparatus. The belt 40 is made of two parts in order that its girth is adjustable by means of pressure sensitive fastening strips 42 as are well known in the textile trade under the trademark Velcro.

The pedal mechanism includes means to provide a realistic feel when operated. To this end, a pad 23, FIG. 1, presses against the periphery of disks 24 and 26. The pad 23 is suspended by an arm portion 25 which is mounted for pivotal motion to a pin 27 mounted to the frame 10. The frictional pressure of the pad against the disks is adjusted by operation of the screw 29.

. It will be apparent that as the foot pedal means 22 is operated the pin 28 rotates and alternately tightens and slackens the cord 32 which, in turn, cyclically tightens and slackens the massaging belt 40 to provide a massaging action. A person sitting on. the seat and steadying himself by means of holding the handle bar 14 and simultaneously steadying his back against the box-like enclosure 18 receives a massaging action by virtueof the cyclic compression and relaxation of the massaging belt as the ends of the massaging belt are pulled and released by the cord 32. The belt 40. is provided, moreover, with individual massaging elements 44 which, in the present example, are bulb-like elements, such as rubber bulbs with vent means in order to inflate and deflate responsive to force applied to the bulb enclosure as will be more clearly apparent from the description hereafter.

- The present apparatus includes, furthermore, a locking mechanism which is adapted to lock the apparatus in the position wherein the massaging belt is in its tightened condition in order to permit the operator to tighten the massaging belt around himself and feel the maximum pressure which he will experience during .operation of the exercise apparatus. This feature prevents unexpected and excessive pressure when operating the exercise apparatus. Excessive pressure might possibly lead to pain or cause even serious injury. The locking mechanism comprises a notch 50 in the disks 24 and 26, this notch being adapted to receive a pin 52 mounted to a lever 54 which is urged toward the notch by a spring 56 which causes flexing of a thinned portion disposed below the clamping portion 58. Cam locking mechanism 60 serves to secure the lever 54 so i that the pedal mechanism is free for rotation. It will be understood that when using the present apparatus the pin 52 engages the notch 50 and that in this position the operator mounts the exercise apparatus, secures the belt aroundhis body, tightens the belt to the maximum pressure desired, then quickly disengages the pin and locks the pin 52 and lever 54 in the open position by means of the locking mechanism 60 and operates the pedal mechanism. The spring 56 urges the lever 54 toward the cams 24 and 26 when the cam locking mechanism is released.

It will be apparent that a variable gear ratio mechanism may be coupled between the foot pedal means and the lever 30 so as to slow down or speed up the cyclic tightening and slackening of the massaging belt. The gear ratio mechanism may be provided with a flexible cable, as used in bicycles, for adjusting the transmission ratio in discrete steps.

An alternative embodiment of the present exercise apparatus is shown in FIG. 5 wherein the arm and shoulder muscles are exercised rather than the legs and muscles responsive to leg motion. Without describing all of the items in detail, there is shown a handle bar 66 coupled to a lever 68, the latter being pivotally fastened to a pin 70,.FIG. 6, which is secured in a set of ears 72, only one such ear being visible in FIG. 5. The flexible cord 32, FIG. 6 is fastened to the'lower end of the lever 68 and as the lever 68 is pivoted 'back and forth about the axis of pin 70, the cord 32 is cyclically tightened and slackened as described heretofore in connection with FIGS. 1 through 4. The illustration in FIG. 5 inare evident from the drawings.

FIG. 7 shows a typical embodiment of the massaging belt. The cord 32 has two end portions 32A and 328 which are fastened to the respective belt ends 40A and 408. The pressure sensitive girth adjustment means 42 is clearly seen and is required, of course, to accommodate different circumferences. The bulb-like elements 44 are fastened to the inside of the belt 40, typically a nylon or fabric belt, and include a valve means 45 which acts as a differential valve in a manner that air 'from the inflated elements 44 is permitted to escape to ambient only slowly, but air from the ambient to the inside of the bulb-like element occurs rather rapidly. Preferably, the elements 44 are molded from rubber material so that the enclosure is yieldable or distortable responsive to applied force. The belt has cut-outs to receive therein a portion of the respective element and the elements are bonded to the belt by commercial adhesives. v

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a slightly different construction of the belt. Each resilient massaging element 80 is provided with a set of hooks 82 which are secured to the belt 84 by being fed through holes 81a. In every other respect the elements are similar to the elements 44 shown in FIG. 7. The typical cut-out 81 is clearly visible in FIG. 8.

In FIG. 10 a two layer belt, as previously described, is provided with respective cut-outs and each cut-out is fitted partially with a resilient massaging element 92 which has at each end an axial extension 94 and 96 attached to the belt by means of reinforcing clamps 98. In this embodiment, the massaging element is adapted to rotate about its axis as the belt is cyclically tightened and slackened. This rotation causes a rolling action during the massaging process.

A similar construction is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 wherein the massaging element 100 is mounted upon a tube 102 having a small vent hole 104. The various tubes 102 are fastened to a thin flexible frame comprising strips of phosphor bronze 106 spot welded together. The frame is covered by a fabric 106a to provide protection. The tubes 102 are adapted to turn in the frame members 106 so that the massaging elements 100 also can rotate responsive to the motion of the belt during the cyclic tightening and slackening motion.

A further alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 wherein the massaging elements comprise raised portions 110 of a contoured sheet. Each raised portion has a vent hole 112 through the belt. The contoured sheet with its bulb-like raised portions 110 is suitably adhesively fastened to the inside surface'of the belt. Alternatively, a molding or vulc'anizing process may be used depending on the materials.

FIG. 15 shows a further alternative embodiment of.

the belt which omits the individual massaging elements. Instead, the belt is made of rubberized or otherwise resilient material which is adapted to stretch and contract in response to the forces applied to the respective belt ends. This construction will be particularly useful when the cord connecting the belt to the motion of the exercise apparatus is made also of a flexible material so that a large degree of resiliency is achieved.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is extremely useful in providing effective massaging action coupled together with the requirement to expend muscle power so that a healthful exercise and the relaxing benefits derived from a massaging action are obtained simultaneously.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus of the type described comprising:

exercising means providing 7 mechanical motion responsive to the expenditure of muscle power;

a massaging belt having two ends adapted to surround a portion of the human body, and

further means coupled to said exercising means and the ends of said belt for cyclically moving said ends toward and away from one another responsive to the motional speed provided by said exercising r'neansto cause a tightening and slackening of said belt responsive to the motion of said exercising means when said belt is in body surrounding position.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, and said belt including means for adjustably setting the girth of said belt.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said exercising means including means adapted to undergo rotating motion in response to the expenditure of muscle power.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3, said means adapted to undergo rotating motion comprising foot pedal means.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said exercising means including foot pedal means adapted to undergo motion responsive to the expenditure of muscle power, and a seat.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5, said exercising means including a back rest.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said exercising means including means adapted to undergo reciprocating motion in response to the expenditure of muscle power.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, and including locking means disposed for locking said means providing mechanical motion in a position wherein said belt is in its normally tightened position.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim I, and including means for adjusting the muscle power required to provide said mechanical motion.

10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said belt including a plurality of yieldable inflatable elements mounted for contact with the body, and including vent means for discharging fluid from said elements to enable the shape of said elements to distort responsive to external pressure as caused by the tightening of the belt and for enabling the elements to resume their original shape and charge with fluid responsive to the slackening of the belt.

11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 12, said elements being mounted on said belt for rotating motion.

12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said belt including elastic material which is adapted to stretch and contract.

13. An apparatus of the type described comprising:

a stationary frame;

seat means supported by said frame;

a handle bar supported from said frame;

foot pedal means mounted to said frame and disposed for rotation by a person sitting on said seat means and supporting himself on said handle bar;

means mounted to said pedal means for being rotated responsive to the operation of said pedal means;

a massaging belt adapted to surround a body portion of a person operating said pedal means, and said belt including a plurality of bulb-like resilient air filled elements for contact with such body portion, each element having orifice means adapted to provide communication between the interior of such element and ambient to charge such element with air or discharge air therefrom responsive to force applied to its outside;

means connecting said means mounted to said pedal means to said belt for causing said belt to be cyclically tightened and slackened around such body portion responsive to the operation of said pedal means, and

means for adjustably varying the effort required to effect rotation of said foot pedal means.

14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 13, said means connecting including a flexible cord.

15. An apparatus of the type described comprising:

a stationary frame;

seat means supported by said frame; a lever mounted for pivotal motion to said frame and for causing said belt to be cyclically tightened and slackened around such body portion responsive to the operation of said lever. 16. An apparatus as set forth in claim 15, said means connecting including aflexible cord.

55 4' V UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3, 727, 608 Dated April 17, 1973 Inventofls) LUTHER c. SIMJIAN I t: is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

The invent o'fls name is Luther G. Simjian Signed and sealed this 1st day of January. 19714..

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHZER,JR. RENE D. TEGTMEYER I Attesting Officer T Acting Commissioner of Patents 

1. An apparatus of the type described comprising: exercising means providing mechanical motion responsive to the expenditure of muscle power; a massaging belt having two ends adapted to surround a portion of the human body, and further means coupled to said exercising means and the ends of said belt for cyclically moving said ends toward and away from one another responsive to the motional speed provided by said exercising means to cause a tightening and slackening of said belt responsive to the motion of said exercising means when said belt is in body surrounding position.
 2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, and said belt including means for adjustably setting the girth of said belt.
 3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said exercising means including means adapted to undergo rotating motion in response to the expenditure of muscle power.
 4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3, said means adapted to undergo rotating motion comprising foot pedal means.
 5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said exercising means including foot pedal means adapted to undergo motion responsive to the expenditure of muscle power, and a seat.
 6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5, said exercising means including a back rest.
 7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said exercising means including means adapted to undergo reciprocating motion in response to the expenditure of muscle power.
 8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, and including locking means disposed for locking said means providing mechanical motion in a position wherein said belt is in its normally tightened position.
 9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, and including means for adjusting the muscle power required to provide said mechanical motion.
 10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said belt including a plurality of yieldable inflatable elements mounted for contact with the body, and including vent means for discharging fluid from said elements to enable the shape of said elements to distort responsive to external pressure as caused by the tightening of the belt and for enabling the elements to resume their original shape and charge with fluid responsive to the slackening of the belt.
 11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 12, said elements being mounted on said belt for rotating motion.
 12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said belt including elastic material which is adapted to stretch and contract.
 13. An apparatus of the type described comprising: a stationary frame; seat means supported by said frame; a handle bar supported from said frame; foot pedal means mounted to said frame and disposed for rotation by a person sitting on said seat means and supporting himself on said handle bar; means mounted to said pedal means for being rotated responsive to the operation of said pedal means; a massaGing belt adapted to surround a body portion of a person operating said pedal means, and said belt including a plurality of bulb-like resilient air filled elements for contact with such body portion, each element having orifice means adapted to provide communication between the interior of such element and ambient to charge such element with air or discharge air therefrom responsive to force applied to its outside; means connecting said means mounted to said pedal means to said belt for causing said belt to be cyclically tightened and slackened around such body portion responsive to the operation of said pedal means, and means for adjustably varying the effort required to effect rotation of said foot pedal means.
 14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 13, said means connecting including a flexible cord.
 15. An apparatus of the type described comprising: a stationary frame; seat means supported by said frame; a lever mounted for pivotal motion to said frame and adapted to undergo pivotal motion responsive to a person disposed on said seat means operating said lever; a massaging belt adapted to surround a body portion of a person operating said lever, and said belt including a plurality of bulb-like resilient air filled elements for contact with such body portion, each element having orifice means adapted to provide communication between the interior of such element and ambient to charge such element with air or discharge air therefrom responsive to force applied to its outside, and means connecting said lever to said massaging belt for causing said belt to be cyclically tightened and slackened around such body portion responsive to the operation of said lever.
 16. An apparatus as set forth in claim 15, said means connecting including a flexible cord. 